The American Society of Interior Design’s Interior Design Billings Index (IDBI) jumped 6.5 points to a score of 65.1 in May, a level not registered since May 2014. The current scores are above the IDBI three-month moving average trend of 62.2 and provide a good gauge of how well the industry is currently performing. The ASID business inquiries index, a leading indicator of potential work, registered another strong reading of 65.7 in May, up from 63.6 in April. These strong readings point to healthy growth for design firms and the related industries they serve.

From a regional perspective, design firms across the U.S. showed billing strength in May, with scores well above 50. Firms in the Midwest and Northeast increased to scores of 58.3 and 68.8, jumping 11 points and 18.75 points respectively. Firms in the West also showed increased activity, posting an increase of 6.2 points from a score of 61.3 in April. Firms in the South have shown steady strength over the last 12 months and registered a score of 69.2.

Based on the six-month outlook index, design firms are expecting business to increase. After scoring a low of 59 in April, the panelists registered a score of 68 in May. Firms have a very positive and healthy outlook for the foreseeable future.